Page 29 of A Raven Reformed

Before she could think any further on it, the men entered the room. They weren’t their usual jovial selves. They were quiet and reserved and none of their smiles reached their eyes. Ash walked straight to her, without even acknowledging any of the other ladies. Something was wrong. Where was Michael?

“Belle, might I have a word with you?”

As he escorted her from the room, dread filled her stomach. “Is he alright?” she asked frantically, as soon as they were through the door.

“Michael is fine.” He placed a hand on her shoulder. “He did sustain a very minor injury.”

“Where is he?”

“He’s resting in his chambers and—” She didn’t wait to hear the rest of whatever he was going to say. She turned and sprinted down the hall. She had to get to him, to see him with her own eyes. She cursed the size of the house as she traversed stairs and more corridors, completely out of breath by the time she burst through the door to his chambers.

“Michael!” He stood in the middle of his room, Jones just finishing with his tie.

He smiled at her and dismissed his valet. “That will be all, Jones. Please make sure we’re not disturbed.”

“Yes, my lord.”

“Ash said you were injured.” She was still trying to catch her breath.

“He was supposed to make sure you didn’t panic,” he said with a laugh. “I’m fine, Belle. It’s just a scratch.” But he wasn’t fine. His eyes were red rimmed and tight with strain.

He pressed his lips to hers, warm and hungry as they moved over her mouth. She wanted to simply melt and fall into his arms, but no, this was a distraction. She pushed him away and he gasped.

“What happened? Where are you hurt?” she demanded.

“Belle, it’s nothing.” He reached for her shoulder, but she stepped back and folded her arms.

“No,” she said sternly. Stupid tears were pooling in her eyes. “Ash said you were resting, which you’re clearly not doing, but if you’re supposed to be resting, it’s not just a scratch. I’m not completely obtuse, you know.” She dashed the tears away as they trickled down her cheeks.

“Belle, sweetheart, it’s just a small wound on my arm. I’ll tell you everything. No secrets between us, remember?” He held out his arm and she stepped into his warm embrace. He squeezed her tightly and pressed a kiss to her temple.

“This first part is going to sound scary, but remember, I’m fine.” She nodded but didn’t like the sound of that.

“While we were having our shooting competition, I was shot.”

She gasped, even though she had already guessed what the end of the sentence would be. She just hadn’t wanted to believe it.

She stepped away so she could look into his eyes. “Who shot you?” Anger bubbled in her veins. She would march downstairs right now and confront whoever had been so careless.

He chuckled softly. He lifted her chin gently and brought his lips in for another kiss. “Whoever it was, they should be quaking in their boots with you as my protector.”

She punched his shoulder, about to tell him off for teasing her in such a situation, but he hissed in pain. “Oh no, I’m so sorry! I didn’t mean to hurt you.”

“I know.” He offered her a forgiving smile, but his teeth remained clenched from the pain.

“Is there anything I can do to help?” Her heart ached for him.

“I can think of something we can do to take my mind off of it.” He flashed an irresistibly devastating grin.

She should tell him no, that he needed rest, but she wasn’t strong enough to resist the hunger in his eyes. She lifted herself onto her toes and captured his mouth, giving herself freely to the passion of his kiss.

ChapterNine

Michael was instantly overwhelmed with need for more. He tasted her mouth, throat, neck, earlobe, but it wasn't enough.

“I need you, Belle. I need all of you.”

She nodded eagerly. “But I don’t want to hurt you,” she said, breathlessly.

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